U.S. President Donald Trump has pushed into new trade law territory with an emergency sanctions law to justify his punishing 25% tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports and an extra 10% duty on Chinese goods to curb fentanyl and illegal immigration into the U.S.
Trade and legal experts said the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) is untested for imposing import tariffs and Trump’s action will likely face swift court challenges that could set important precedents.
As widely expected, Trump declared a national emergency under IEEPA on Saturday, citing the “extraordinary threat” from fentanyl and illegal immigration. The law gives the president broad powers to impose economic and financial sanctions in times of crisis, including against Russia over its war in Ukraine.
